Thursday, February 24, 2005

NOT DRNKING CAN BE HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH

NEWPORT FEBRUARY 2005

I have given up alcohol for Lent. This is really going to be a big sacrifice because I love coconut rum.

Last week Poo-Poo ( he has asked me to no longer refer to him as Zorro, so now it is Poo-Poo, a story I may tell later) and I go out on the town in Newport. The attraction was Big Joe Duskin, a mainstay on the Cincinnati Blues circuit. A huge celebration for his 84th birthday was taking place at the Big Blue Fish, a restaurant on the Levee. He was the main act too!

The bar was packed ( I was late) yet we managed to find a spare chair in the back of the room, behind a row of tropical plants. I was only able to see the stage by kneeling on the chair. He was terrific. Still can rock the house! We stayed for only one set then decided to go to the Southgate House to see if Straw Boss was playing. Straw Boss is the Rockabilly band we had so much fun listening to New years Eve.

We had to cross the street. Six lanes of traffic. Frantic traffic heading towards the Ohio River one direction or the Newport Levee in the other direction . We look up towards the traffic light, which is about 20 yards away. The light is red. The cars are stopped. Engines are revving. Inching forward like predatory animals.

"We can make it " Poo-Poo yells as he begins to dart across the street.

I glance at the traffic to gage whether I should risk it when I misjudge the curb and step off into empty space. I drop like a sack of potatoes. Flop to my knees! The pavement is racing towards my face. My reflexes are swift and I was able to get my hands out in front before slamming face first into oblivion.

I was aware that I was sprawled on the ground in front of a quickly approaching wall of impatient NASCAR wannabees! Poo-Poo helped haul me to my feet. He was cognizant of the fact that one moment I was there and the next I had disappeared!. "Walk it off! Walk it off!" he instructs me as if I am a football player and helps me regain my balance.

I am really stunned and in semi-shock. I could only think I WAS ABSOLUTELY SOBER! This is too dangerous for me, an Irish colleen! I need alcohol in my system or the earth is rotating off its axis!

I'm certain those in traffic, sitting in the bus stop, and walking on the sidewalk, everyone who witnessed the spectacle thought I was intoxicated. A drunk falling in the street. How crazy is that!

Poo-Poo and I have laughed and laughed about it since. It was pretty funny.

My right wrist is slightly sprained ....jeez. But, two weeks into Lent and I still am holding strong.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry you got hurt, but this is too funny.  Now, if I had to choose between being called Poo-Poo or Zorro, Zorro would definitely win out.  (Besides I really like masks, and well, Antonio Banderas need I say more?)  Counting down the days to Easter.

Anonymous said...

Oh, funny!  Sorry, but I could just picture it...I have spent much time sprawled onto the ground in my 42 years...and I have never been much of a drinker!!!  JAE

Anonymous said...

WOW You are holding off alcohol and we are in the jewish season of PARTAYYYYYYYY time. last night awas purim katan and in one month will be purim. We read the book of esther and drink till we cant distingish between saying haman and mordecai. It so funny but the time we get ot chapter 7 or 8 out of ten we are grogging when we should be yelling boo LOL I bet it is funny now you falling. I m glad you were not hurt any worse than you were. But I know you can laugh now but then i bet it was not so funny. Lori

Anonymous said...

My husband gave up beer for lent. He is Irish and is very picky about what beer he drinks. I gave up chocolate. I am not much of a beer drinker. I like mixed drinks. To make matters worse I am dieting. Can we say Mr. & Mrs. Cranky Pants? We ran into our Irish neighbors down the street. They gave up the same thing. We are thinking of doing a pool to see who cracks first. Those who don't may not be living together by Easter! LOL We refer to our home as the Leprechaun Inn. Slainte! Nelle

Anonymous said...

I decided to give up radishes for lent. haaa  You gotta be careful, I in few more years, that will be a serious injury. Now you know why older people walk with their head down, not becuase they are depressed, it's because of all of the danger zones that are in the way.   Poo Poo?.......No No!    Anne

Anonymous said...

Is it Lent already? Oh boy...naughty naughty lapsed Catholic. LOL I gave up dieting for Lent...I'll go with that. LOL  My knee is still hurting from a funny injury I sustained while at Disney. Those rides were not made for a woman as wide as me. LOL

Anonymous said...

oh,my! i hope the deprivation is not as dramatic during the rest of Lent! Myself I gave up Mardi Gras for Lent! It has been hard, but I've had to opportunity to cheat! try to stay on your feet!
Marti
http://journals.aol.com/sunnyside46/MidlifeMusings

Anonymous said...

omg givin' up the rum?

Anonymous said...

He would rather have Poo-Poo than Zorro? Hmm. There's gotta be something Freudian in there.

Anonymous said...

::sigh:: When people wonder why I can't get religion, I point to sad, nay...*tragic* occurrences such as these.  'Practicing Irish' gals such as ourselves take pledges of sobriety at our peril.  Alcohol is what keeps us tethered firmly to the ground;   without it we tend to lose our internal balance, as you yourself have discovered.  

Still, I heartily commend your determination, and wish you well.  I'll be here when you get back, whispering, "guinness is good for you..." ;)

Anonymous said...

Poo-Poo. Well. You passed on all those cuties for a guy who wants to be called Poo-Poo. I want to hear that story!

If you are going to fall, you might as well do a good job of it, since you didn't get hurt too much. Rum comes in coconut?

xoxo

Anonymous said...

What a funny entry!. Yur a good ger-rl ye are...givin' up the ole Guiness en sech. Da' Lord Bless ye!

Anonymous said...

LOL...how funny is this...well not funny that you fell...ahhh you know what I mean...I hope your wrist feels better !

NJLB
http://journals.aol.com/njlittlebear/MyBigFatGeekLife

Anonymous said...

LOL! Thank goodness you're okay and Poo-Poo rescued you...this whole entry is just cracking me up.  Why in the world are we calling him Poo-Poo now?  Please please tell us...

Anonymous said...

ouch....... be careful and I am dying to know why Zorro is called Poo-Poo. judi

Anonymous said...

Poo-poo. What a great nic-name. I love it!

And for goodness sake, hurry up and get Lent over with. You need a few drinks in you, girl! :-)  

Anonymous said...

Don't worry...I was drinking for both of us last week.